Teachers are Awesome!

OK - you knew you'd hear it but. . . Teachers are Awesome! After spending a week of faculty meetings, committee meetings, district meetings, and getting my classroom ready --- School started! I had an appreciation for teachers but it grows as I spend countless hours in the classroom decorating, labeling, organizing, planning, and gathering assessment information. No complaints as I seem to have a wonderful staff to work with. They have been supportive and offered both advice and handouts to use. My kids were patient as well (THANKS GUYS!!).

We started this last Thursday on a HOT day (we have no air conditioning and my classroom faces west). I have 26 students and they will be wonderful to work with (Crossing my fingers). Kaylee, Kendall, Shan, Wes, and Braden also enjoyed their first days of school. After signing all the syllabii and info papers, I think we need to revisit the paper reduction act. The kids are grateful to be back with friends, but not grateful for the early mornings and homework. I will only gripe once on this blog about the cost of public education -- class fees, purchasing textbooks, and other various expenses. OUCH! But it comes once a year and must be necessary - Right??!!

Whitney brought me a flower and balloon for my first day and took a picture then he went and ate lunch with Weslie. I'm glad she's at the age where she's excited to have her mother in the same building. (Not sure the older three would feel the same). Happy schooling ya'all!

A Stroll Down Memory Lane . . .

A visit with Mamaw.
(Weslie's first quilt - Thank you for the help Grammy Hart!)




This last weekend we were able to go retrieve our daughters from their grandparent's house in GREEN RIVER,WY. Shannon and Weslie spent some time finishing their quilts and enjoying the great outdoors. Our visit was brief but we enjoyed spending time with Whitney's mom and step-dad. While we were there, we decided to take the kids to some of the "memorable" places of our childhoods - an advantage to growing up in the same town (although this blog is biased to my side since I am the author). Those of you who have been there will enjoy this . . . Remember . . .


The big GREEN river . . .
We counted lost shoes along the river - believe it or not, there were about the same number of right shoes as there were left ones (none matched of course!)
We love the wildlife!
We like to catch snakes!
A walk along the river . . .
The horse corral - my kids love to go feed the horses.
The park next door to our house.
The house I grew up in - SORRY dad - the yard has gone downhill since we sold!
Castle Rock

The Old Tomahawk Building (remember all those Saturday cleanings??)
The old railroad bridge
Mansface
"New" Waterpark at Exped. Island
Expedition Island

Rodeo & Camelot

We took Weslie for an early birthday present to see "Camelot" which was put on by the UT Opera Festival Company (here in Logan!). It was spectacular, broadway couldn't have done better! Michael Ballam has really made Logan a place for the arts in the summer. I wish going to the theater wasn't as expensive, the experience should be had by all. No one forgets their first broadway experience. I'm still holding out to see "Wicked"!!



Speaking of experiences, it was the county fair this last weekend. We love fair time! We went to the rodeo with the whole family on the first night. We're not particularly fans of throwing calves to the ground or watching some poor cowboy get a broken back but since we live in the "Wild West", we felt this was necessary for the kids to say they have been there. The boys loved the half-time show which was two men in summo wrestling garb tackling each other and rolling around. Whit and I loved the Cowboy poker game. For those of you who haven't been to a rodeo, a cowboy poker game involves starting out with a table in the arena and four men sitting to play poker. A bull is turned loose and comes after each player. The player who can last the longest in his seat wins. It's pretty funny.

19 Years!

The Pugh Crew was officially established 19 years ago August 3, 1990! Since that time, I can say that things have only gotten better. Marrige isn't just living "happpily ever after," it is counting your blessings even when times are hard. It is learning to value what truly matters in life and not seeking for personal gratification. Here is an excerpt from a newspaper article I clipped back in 1990 (article in the Utah County Journal by Janene W. Baadsgaard)
"After a few years of marriage and more than a few children, I've found love had a way of showing its head at the more common and unexpected times. I used to love my husband for the way he looked in his basketball uniform (me too!), Now I love him for the way he looks in his striped flannel pajamas, after he's been up with the sick baby all night. I used to admire my husband's latest intellectual reciting of his vast store of knowledge. But now I admire him most when he's on all fours, acting like a goon to get our baby to laugh, attentively listening to our preschooler tell knock-knock jokes without punch lines, helping our tenagers with algebra, or reading bedtime stories on the loveseat. I used to think the greatest show of romantic love was a passionate Hollywood kiss and embrace with expressions as "OH my darling, I can't live another moment without you". Now I feel the greatest expressions of love sound more like "Don't worry about the car, honey. We have insurance." OR, "I'll take care of the kids. Why don't you get out and do whatever you want for a day?" OR "Would you like a foot rub". I used to admire my husband's courage to travel to exotic places. Now I admire his courage to stay home, get up every morning and face the work world,only to come home to sticky kitchen chairs, a teenager with a learner's permit, last-minute peanut butter and jam dinners, and after-dinner children who explode with "Daddy, do this" energy."

This sums it up for family life. Here's to another 19 of learning, laughing, loving, and sharing!

Jack's son in Jackson!

We got up close and personal with a herd of buffalo on our way to the falls in Yellowstone.


We were priveledged to spend some time with Whitney's dad (Jack) and his step-mom in Jackson, WY this weekend. We did a quick tour of Yellowstone & Teton Nat'l Parks, went swimming, enjoyed the motorcycles, and took in nature as much as time allowed. The weather was fabulous and the company even better. Jack had come down on Pioneer Day (the 24th) because Weslie had asked if he would allow Whit to ride his motorcycle in the parade our town has each year to celebrate Pioneer Day. The motorcycle has a side car which makes it even more fun, especially for parades. (Whitney surprised every one by wearing a gorilla costume)


NOW - A word about motorcycles . . . I was able to ride in the side car a few times traveling from Hoback Junct. to Jackson and back. Although the side car is "nice", I really prefer to ride behind the driver. When we were first married, Whitney owned a small street bike. We rode it occassionally. I have also been able to ride a few times through Logan Canyon. During these brief excursions, I have observed a few things. Those who own a motorcycle are in a realm that only other motorcyclists appreciate. They even have a language of their own as they pass each other on the highway. The feel of the road so close, the breeze in your face, the exhiliration of speed, the sunshine on your body, need I go on?? I was reflecting back to my growing up years when my family spent time on our boat. It is something that only other boaters would appreciate. The experience speaks for itself and must be lived to be fully appreciated. It makes me realize just how many experiences are out there awaiting my attention. I can read about them but experiencing them adds a dimension that cannot be imitated. I'm grateful for these opportunities as they cause me to reflect more fully on those things that make life rich and meaningful.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I guess given how fast time has gone, I better get with it on living life to its fullest! My challenge is for you all to do the same!

Moving Days!

This entry needs no picture - the title will conjure pictures for every reader, I'm sure. After a week of packing people and helping repair, paint, load, fix, babysit, etc... I'm grateful that we are NOT moving. I helped a good friend and Whitney's sister this week as well as spending one day moving my classroom stuff around. It was a work out but well worth it. My heart goes out to those who are moving and my heart prays that we will be blessed to stay where we are for a very LONG time! Age does seem to affect energy (NOT FAIR - anyone agree??!). I used to think I was invincible, I'd be young forever. Rude Awakening - This doesn't exist except in fairytales. Those of you who are much older than I are laughing and saying, "Just wait!". I know and I won't complain.

We did have some good friends come visit, The Marshalls. It was good to see them! I'm sad to say, I forgot to pull out my camera!! They will just have to visit again! Other than that, not much new to report to you from bloggerville but just hoping that all of you are enjoying your summer. It goes by WAY TOO FAST!! I sure enjoy having the kids around even if schedules are non-existent, the cubboards constantly being emptied, and the house in a disarray.

PS - GO SEE HARRY POTTER!! With all my teens, we couldn't wait until the crowds ebbed. We had an absolutely wonderful time!!

Independence Day '09

I'm a sentimental person and that's why this blog is so fun. I was able to pause and reflect on just how lucky we are to be a part of this wonderful country. There are many books out there that reveal the world in all its colors and I sure have more respect for the red, white, and blue colors we live under. Consider this, how many people are in the world today? AND how many live in the US and have the freedom to worship how they desire, choose what they want to do for a living, and how they want to live? You do the math, we are so blessed!

We were able to celebrate the 4th with Whitney's family, the "all-American" way with a barbeque, home-made ice cream, a parade, and fireworks!